Formic acid, manufacture of, by-products from

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the data requirements for reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid by read-across to the available studies on structurally similar substances.
Reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid is comprised of formic acid (free) up to 59%, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) up to 35%, and pentaerythritol up to 19.6%.
Short-term aquatic invertebrate toxicity studies are available on ammonium formate (which is structurally similar to formic acid), propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and pentaerythritol. The data requirements for reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid are addressed by read-across to ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (TMP) and pentaerythritol.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and pentaerythritol are being used as a read across for 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid.

Key result

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

365 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from ammonium formate study

Duration:

24 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from pentaerythritol study

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

13 000 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

other: immobility

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from TMP study

Details on results:

The key data from short-term aquatic invertebrate toxicity studies on ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and pentaerythritol are used for weight of evidence read across to reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The short-term toxicity of the target substance, reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid, to aquatic invertebrates was estimated to be 48 h EC50 = 365 mg/L, based on a worst case read-across study on ammonium formate exposure to D. magna.

Executive summary:

Short-term studies are available on the acute toxicity to Daphnia for the read-across substances ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) and pentaerythritol:

A 48 h acute toxicity test was carried out to assess the effects of ammonium formate on Daphnia magna. The 48 h EC50 was found to be 365 mg/L, while the NOEC was determined to be 180 mg/L.

The 48 h acute toxicity of TMP to D. magna was studied under static conditions. Daphnids were exposed to the substance at nominal concentrations of 5,000; 7,500; 10,000; 15,000, 20,000, 25,000; 40,0000 mg/L. Immobilization was observed at 24 and 48 h. The 48 h EC50 was 13,000 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations).

The 24 h EC50 for D. magna exposed to pentaerythritol is >1000 mg/L (the highest nominal exposure concentration tested). No immobility was observed during the study, therefore the corresponding no-observed effect concentration (NOEC) was 1000 mg/L.

Description of key information

The lowest available EC50 for acute toxicity to Daphnia is 365 mg/L for ammonium formate.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

365 mg/L

Additional information

Short-term studies are available on the acute toxicity to Daphnia for the read-across substances ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) and pentaerythritol:

A 48 h acute toxicity test was carried out to assess the effects of ammonium formate on Daphnia magna. The 48 h EC50 was found to be 365 mg/L, while the NOEC was determined to be 180 mg/L.

The 48 h acute toxicity of TMP to D. magna was studied under static conditions. Daphnids were exposed to the substance at nominal concentrations of 5,000; 7,500; 10,000; 15,000, 20,000, 25,000; 40,0000 mg/L. Immobilization was observed at 24 and 48 h. The 48 h EC50 was 13,000 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations).

The 24 h EC50 for D. magna exposed to pentaerythritol is >1000 mg/L (the highest nominal exposure concentration tested). No immobility was observed during the study, therefore the corresponding no-observed effect concentration (NOEC) was 1000 mg/L.